NATURE  (back)

"Beauty is the sense of life and the awe one has in its presence."   
-Cather

"We can never have enough of nature." 
-Thoreau

"In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks." 
-Muir

"Flowers are the earth's laughter." 
-Emerson

"You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt." 
-Anonymous

Being outside feels good.  The body responds to fresh air, vibrant colors, and soothing sun rays.  Within in a matter of minutes we find ourselves in a much better place... mentally and physically.

Choosing to be with nature is great, but working with nature is, for some, even better!  Gardening helps us focus on our abilities, not our disabilities. 

A TIME magazine article from May 2004 titled Flower Power discussed Horticultural Therapy (HT) and many of the associated benefits.  Recent studies from the University of Arkansas found that women over 50 who engaged in regular home gardening had higher bone density readings than those who exercised in more typical ways such as jogging, cycling or swimming.  Working in gardens requires the use of large and small muscles as well as fine and gross motor skills... perhaps this is why gardening is an excellent tool for physical rehabilitation.

Supporting these benefits, The Journal of Environmental Psychology published a study that demonstrated the effects of simply looking at a garden.  Folks who spent time in a room with an arboreal view and took a stroll through a nature preserve actually had decreased blood pressure and elevated mood... compared to those who sat in a windowless room and took a walk through an urban setting.

Why does Horticultural Therapy work so well?  Why does it make such a difference when we have stopped to smell the roses?

Because caring for a living thing makes us feel worthwhile.  Something or someone needs us... and we all want to feel needed.

When working with elders or people who have dementia, this is not just one more thing to do.  Gardening is actually a BRIDGE connecting us to one another and our home.  We feel good, and when we feel good, everyone benefits.